Despite moving to London and starting a family, the Weald will always be home to Ben Parker. So, when he and his French wife, Perrine spotted a large Georgian farmhouse in need of refurbishment, a deal was struck and the transformation began.

TEST The kitchen was originally three rooms. Now open plan, an Aga and large kitchen table occupy one end of the room while a sleek modern kitchen by Howdens occupies the other. Overhead lighting comes from rooflight windows during the day and funky filament lights at night

The kitchen was originally three rooms. Now open plan, an Aga and large kitchen table occupy one end of the room while a sleek modern kitchen by Howdens occupies the other. Overhead lighting comes from roof light windows during the day and funky filament lights at night

TEST The ten-seater kitchen-cum-dining table was designed by Perrine and made by their carpenter Jason Tanner. Alongside is the Aga, with geometric tiles behind, and a shelving unit made from reclaimed local fruit bins

The ten-seater kitchen-dining table was designed by Perrine and made by their carpenter Jason Tanner. Alongside is the Aga, with geometric tiles behind, and a shelving unit made from reclaimed local fruit bins

TEST Quirky Mr Fox fabric by Scion features on the full-length curtains in the dining area, on cushions, as well as on the kitchen blinds

Quirky Mr Fox fabric by Scion features on the full-length curtains in the dining area, on cushions, as well as on the kitchen blinds

TEST A collection of humorous Vanity Fair prints of famous Victorian cricketers highlights Ben and his father’s passion for cricket. The sofas are from Graham & Green, as is the convex circular mirror

A collection of humorous Vanity Fair prints of famous Victorian cricketers highlights Ben and his father’s passion for cricket. The sofas are from Graham & Green, as is the convex circular mirror

TEST Trompe l’oeil wallpaper depicting a bookcase hides a secret door which leads through to a less formal living room and children’s play area

Trompe l’oeil wallpaper depicting a bookcase hides a secret door which leads through to a less formal living room and children’s play area

TEST Despite moving to London and starting a family, the Weald will always be home to Ben Parker. So, when he and his French wife, Perrine spotted a large Georgian farmhouse in need of refurbishment, a deal was struck and the transformation began...

Despite moving to London and starting a family, the Weald will always be home to Ben Parker. So, when he and his French wife, Perrine spotted a large Georgian farmhouse in need of refurbishment, a deal was struck and the transformation began

TEST The secret door as seen from the other side

The secret door as seen from the other side

TEST Ben and Perrine found their hall table in an antique shop in the Cotswolds. The teardrop wire and glass lampshade above it is from Not On The High Street and much of the furniture is from Graham & Green, whose ‘look’ complements the unpretentious but comfortable interior of Tanner House

Ben and Perrine found their hall table in an antique shop in the Cotswolds. The teardrop wire and glass lampshade above it is from Not On The High Street and much of the furniture is from Graham & Green, whose ‘look’ complements the unpretentious but comfortable interior of Tanner House

TEST The master bedroom retains its original, wide oak floorboards. Waxed rather than stained, they provide the perfect backdrop for this pretty patterned rug and classic bedroom furniture including a bed by Feather & Black

The master bedroom retains its original, wide oak floorboards. Waxed rather than stained, they provide the perfect backdrop for this pretty patterned rug and classic bedroom furniture including a bed by Feather & Black

TEST Sleek fitted cupboards offer masses of storage in the master bedroom

Sleek fitted cupboards offer masses of storage in the master bedroom

TEST Bathers get an uninterrupted view over the front garden

Bathers get an uninterrupted view over the front garden

TEST The contemporary en suite bathroom with modern standalone bath, spacious walk-in shower and limed oak flooring is a far cry from what the couple discovered when they bought the house which ‘wasn’t a wreck but needed a lot of updating’. Bathers get an uninterrupted view over the front garden

The contemporary en suite bathroom with modern standalone bath, spacious walk-in shower and limed oak flooring is a far cry from what the couple discovered when they bought the house which ‘wasn’t a wreck but needed a lot of updating’

TEST A white, painted easy chair and pale woodwork show hints of Perrine’s French style. Artworks dotted around the house include paintings by Perrine’s mother, a talented abstract painter

A white, painted easy chair and pale woodwork show hints of Perrine’s French style. Artworks dotted around the house include paintings by Perrine’s mother, a talented abstract painter

TEST A modern en suite shower room adds a sense of hotel luxury to the spare room

A modern en suite shower room adds a sense of hotel luxury to the spare room

TEST Using subtle greys as a background colour, Perrine uses bright pops of pink to liven up the third ‘grown-up’ bedroom. The bed is by Loaf and the rest of the decor is a family affair – Perrine found and distressed the side table, chest of drawers and mirror to match while her mother provided the abstract painting. Original fireplaces throughout the house, and in the bedrooms, create the perfect focal point

Using subtle greys as a background colour, Perrine uses bright pops of pink to liven up the third ‘grown-up’ bedroom. The bed is by Loaf and the rest of the decor is a family affair – Perrine found and distressed the side table, chest of drawers and mirror to match while her mother provided the abstract painting. Original fireplaces throughout the house, and in the bedrooms, create the perfect focal point

TEST The children’s attic bedrooms, with bunks designed by Perrine and built by Jason, are like an enchanted vaulted and beamed eyrie

The children’s attic bedrooms, with bunks designed by Perrine and built by Jason, are like an enchanted vaulted and beamed eyrie

TEST The attic, once converted, was the perfect space for three children’s bedrooms. “We renovated the first two floors of the house first,” says Perrine, “and then had to wait while we got planning permission for our plans for the top floor.” Thankfully, approval was granted, and the children now love their cosy rooms

The attic, once converted, was the perfect space for three children’s bedrooms. “We renovated the first two floors of the house first,” says Perrine, “and then had to wait while we got planning permission for our plans for the top floor.” Thankfully, approval was granted, and the children now love their cosy rooms

TEST “We renovated the first two floors of the house first,” says Perrine, “and then had to wait while we got planning permission for our plans for the top floor.” Thankfully, approval was granted, and the children now love their cosy rooms

“We renovated the first two floors of the house first,” says Perrine, “and then had to wait while we got planning permission for our plans for the top floor.” Thankfully, approval was granted, and the children now love their cosy rooms

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Jennifer Stuart-Smith

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